Inflatable Outdrive Saver Tool

ABSTRACT

A portable, inflatable, waterproof tool to lift installed marine outdrives from incompatible immersion when not in operation. The deflated tool designed and constructed to be compatible with the craft&#39;s hull shape and positioned with the backing fabric against the hull is slipped under the craft&#39;s hull cross section adjacent to the outdrive and secured by two D-Rings that provide purchase capability. Inflation is provided by a pressurization device. Inflation is applied until the desired lift is achieved. Deflation is achieved by venting the fill valve and pulling the deflated tool to the desired side of the craft. The deflated tool is stored in the storage container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 February 1978 Lasch

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

BACKGROUND

Marine outdrives that propel boats of all sizes experience shortenedlife spans when allowed to be immersed while non-operational causingpremature maintenance and repairs. In addition, required sacrificialanodes that are attached to the outdrive for corrosion protection needperiodic replacement due to electrolysis facilitated by the immersion.Outdrive repairs and anode replacements are bothersome and costly andthere is considerable motivation to avoid them.

While there are complete boat lift systems that are suitable to liftentire vessels including their outdrives clear of immersion the liftsare expensive and complicated in their own right. In addition, most ofthe water craft lift systems also require periodic maintenance to keepthem trouble free. Metal-based lift systems require periodic anodemaintenance and all full boat lift systems should be kept fouling free.Some waterfront communities are critical of these lifts and restricttheir use because of their appearance.

Accordingly a need exists for marine outdrives to be separated fromimmersion when not in use. Other than full watercraft lift systems nodevice is available to provide outdrive lift capability especially onethat is almost hidden from sight.

Internet search and patent search reveals no such outdrive lift systemexists. However, Lasch U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 identifies inflatableflotation but ignores V bottom compatibility, fabric requirements, airvalve access, various sizes to handle a variety of boat weight, andspecifics for the application to marine outdrives.

SUMMARY

Marine outdrive life can be extended and maintenance reduced by removingthe outdrive from immersion except when in operational use. The outdrivesaver tool achieves this objective using air lift. Available lightweight waterproof and air tight fabric enables this inflatable tool tobe handled by an operator to separate outdrive critical components fromhostile immersion. The outdrive saver tool is slipped under the stern ofthe vessel adjacent to the outdrive, secured, and then inflated to thedesired lift using a pressurization device. Air pressure ventingfacilitates tool removal and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 The plan view of the exterior of the outdrive saver tool.

FIG. 2 The elevation view of the deflated and collapsed outdrive savertool.

FIG. 3 The elevation view of the inflated outdrive saver toolillustrating the details of the inflation portion sections A-A′ and B-B′and the additional definable dimensions D4, D5, and angle D6.

FIG. 4 The stern elevation view including example boat outline (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

FIG. 5 The aft port side elevation view of example boat outline (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

FIG. 6 The aft port side perspective view of example boat (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures:

FIG. 1 The outdrive saver tool plan view illustrates all components andconstruction. Actual dimensions have been omitted as the unit'sdimensions are tailored to the lift requirements of the application. Theflexible fabric backing (1) is made of waterproof inflatable fabric suchas welded poly vinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, rubber based fabric, etc.suitable for inflation under water. The inflation chamber (2) is made ofsimilar fabric and is bonded to the backing material (1) to provide anair and water tight cavity to the prescribed dimensions D1, D3, D4, D5,and angle D6 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 determined by the vessel'sweight, configuration, and lift required. The air inflation anddeflation hose (3) is bonded to the inflatable cavity and is constrainedto the backing fabric (1) by several attached belt loops (5) made of thesame fabric and is configured so the hose assembly will slide within thebelt loops. The air supply hose (3) terminates to an air supplyopen/closed valve (4). The backing fabric extends beyond the inflatablecavity D2 with the length sized to the hull configuration of the vessel.The two extreme ends of the backing fabric (1) terminate with D-rings(6) to facilitate installing, positioning, and securing the tool forinflation and removing the tool following deflation. If a cylindricalcross section of the inflatable cavity is desired then D3, D4, and D5define the extremities of the cylindrical inflation chamber.

FIG. 2 The elevation view of the uninflated and collapsed outdrive savertool.

FIG. 3 The elevation view of the inflated outdrive saver toolillustrating the details of the inflation portion sections A-A′ and B-B′and the additional definable dimensions D4, D5, and angle D6. Watercraftfitted with outdrives are typically built with a range of V shaped hullangles indicated by D6 making a custom fit preferred to avoid collapsingof the inflated section at the vertex of the V angle.

FIG. 4 The stern elevation view including example boat outline (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.This illustration highlights the location of the air fill valve foroperator access and the V shape fit of the inflatable to the V hullshape.

FIG. 5 The aft port side elevation view of example boat outline (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.This view illustrates the outdrive saver tool installed immediatelyadjacent to the outdrive location to maximize lift effectiveness.

FIG. 6 The aft port side perspective view of example boat (7) withoutdrive outline (8) and the inflated outdrive saver tool installed.

Operation

Installation and Activation

1 The deflated outdrive saver tool is transported to the vessel'slocation in an easy to manage storage bag.

2 The outdrive saver tool is removed from the storage bag and unfoldedto permit installation under the stern of the vessel with the backingface up and the inflatable chamber in the face down position.

3 A weighted removable pull line is attached to one of the D-rings andis dropped under the stern of the vessel in front of the “trailerpositioned” outdrive to permit pulling the outdrive saver tool acrossthe stern to the opposite side of the vessel until the tool V is fittedto the hull V at the stern of the craft. The D-rings are now accessibleto the installer for joining with a bungee cord, belt, or other joiningmethod.

4 The pressurization device is then attached to the fill hose andactivated in the inflation mode.

5 The inflation chamber fills and critical outdrive components arelifted until clear of immersion.

6 The air valve may now be closed and the inflation device removed andstored.

Tool Removal

1 The inflation device is connected to the outdrive saver tool's airvalve and the air valve opened.

2 The inflation device is activated in the suction mode.

3 When the inflated chamber is fully collapsed the inflation device isremoved, the D-rings are released, and the outdrive saver tool is pulledto the desired side and retrieved.

4 The outdrive saver tool is then cleaned and rolled up for storage inthe provided storage bag.

Deflation Option

The outdrive saver tool air valve is opened and allowed to vent withoutassistance. When deflated the outdrive saver tool is removed and stored.

1. (canceled)
 2. An apparatus to lift installed marine outdrives fromimmersion in non-compatible environments, the apparatus comprising: aninflatable device to provide lift to the hull of an outdrive equippedboat, the inflatable device comprising waterproof inflatable fabric; arestraint system to support and position the inflatable and a hose andvalve assembly to inflate or deflate the inflatable device.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inflatable section is shapedas a V to conform to typical V-shaped outdrive powered hulls and avoidcollapsing of the inflated portion at the V apex.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the dimensions and configuration can besized to accommodate a wide range of hull shapes and displacements. 5.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof fabriccomprises at least one of vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber based,or other waterproof and inflatable fabric.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a inflate/deflate valve and hose assemblylocated for operator access.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising D-ring terminations of an inflatable backing tosecure for operation.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a pressurization device to inflate the inflatable section. 9.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is storedwithin a storage container.